GB2393435A - End structures for containers - Google Patents

Abstract

An open-sided container has a platform deck (14) supporting inset transverse header beams (23, 24), with respective container pick-up, capture, handling and support fittings (28), and a roof canopy (15), through intervening end support structures (40, 50). One end structure (40) may comprise an inset strut 54, bracing 58 and stub wall panel 16, set intermediate the deck span; and another end structure (50) may comprise opposed side stub posts 26, bracing 56, and stub wall panels (18), allowing selective end and/or side load access.

Description

Container End Configurations This invention relates to containers for

freight transport and storage, and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with open-sided, platform-based container configurations. 5 The Applicant has previously proposed a side loading container configured, in cross sectional form, as a structural 'I' beam, the subject of published PCT application WO99/1 5437.

In that approach - for greater freedom of side access for (un)loading upstanding dividing wall, wall portion(s), struts or braces spanning between platform deck and a 10 cantilever roof span, were set intermediate (eg centrally of) the transverse span.

Staggered, mutually offset, single-sided loading was also envisaged.

Problem End & Side Access A continuous intermediate wall can prove a hindrance for a combination of end and 15 side access for (un)loading.

Thus, for example, it is convenient to end load at a freight depot, by drive on / drive off, with say a pallet truck - yet to unload selective load portions by side access in roadside destination delivery.

Similarly, sorting or shuffling load portions, such as crates or pallets, once loaded, is 20 more limited with a continuous longitudinal dividing wall.

Dividing an entire load longitudinally, for single-sided access, would require careful load disposition and route planning to unloading destinations, so that load portions could be accessed and unloaded sequentially.

Moreover, a continuous central divide, whether of full or partial depth, constitutes a 25 barrier which would impede long load (un)loading and handling.

À À. À.: Extended Span A.. À A particular issue arises with containers extended to contemporary 45 foot longitudinal spans from the historic or traditional 40 foot standard.

À À. ÀÀ À For conformity with established load handling cranes and stacking with other À. 30 containers, such extended containers must retain pick-up, capture, handling, and support points at the 40 foot span.

À. Such fittings would formerly have been at corner dispositions, supported by corner frame posts, in a traditional 40 foot container - but are each located some 2.5 foot À'À inboard of the extremities of an extended 45 foot container span.

Support and bracing of such inboard or inset pick-up points poses particular structural problems, in relation to preserving end and side load access.

Thus an inset side bracing post could obstruct side access locally at container end extensions - undermining a benefit for long loads.

5 Absent underpinning support posts, an overhead bridge beam, with end pick-up points, would be subject to severe bending loads - requiring a deep and cumbersome section, intrusive into load space.

The present case addresses container extension bracing issues by adapting certain aspects of the Applicant's earlier'!' beam proposals in a different container 1 0 configuration.

That said, certain aspects of this case, in particular container end configuration, are applicable to stiffen traditional (shorter) container spans.

Statement of Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, 15 a container(10)comprises a platform deck (14) supporting a roof (15), and/or transverse header beams (23, 24), through an intervening support structure (40, 50), 20 of (certain) end frame configurations; one end configuration comprising either or both: an intermediate stub post (54), stub wall (16), with or without stub bracing (58); another end wall configuration comprising either or both: opposed side stub posts 25 26, side stub infill wall or panels (18), with or without respective side stub bracing 56.

According to another aspect of the invention, an open-sided, platform deck container, À... supports a roof canopy, through certain end configurations, 30 selected from the group of; . one end configuration comprising À À any one or more of opposed side stub posts, stub post bracing, or stub wall panel infill, set alongside the deck; À :.:. 35 another end configuration comprising ,., any one or more of an intermediate stub post, À À stub post bracing, or stub wall panel infill,

set intermediate the deck transverse span; the end configurations being deployed alternatively, duplicated at both ends, or in differential combination.

According to a further aspect of the invention, 5 an open-sided, platform deck container, {of longitudinally extended format}, for freight transport and storage, comprises a platform deck base, with pick-up, capture, handling and support points, set inboard of container ends, 10 and in opposed pairs, upon respective header beams; a header at one end being supported by a stub wall, disposed intermediate the transverse deck span; and a header at the other end being supported 15 by stub walls set at opposite deck sides; allowing end and side access.

In practice, the headers are conveniently integrated into a roof canopy and attendant peripheral frame.

Embodiments 20 There now follows a description of some particular embodiments of an open-sided

container, with end configurations according to the invention, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a part cut-away perspective view of an open-sided container, with different end configurations; 25 Figure 2A shows a plan view of the container of Figure 1; Figure 2B shows the plan view of Figure 2A, with superimposed indications of end and side (un)loading for discrete load portions; and À., Figure 2C shows a variant of Figures 2A and 2B, with folding side stub walls at one .., end and a folding intermediate stub wall at the other end; 30 Figures 3A and 3B show container stresses and strains; .. À Thus, more specifically; À.. Figure 3A depicts, in side elevation, container stacking loads, with racking imposed by , relative longitudinal displacement of an upper container upon a lower container, :.,, creating trapezoidal lozenging frame distortion; and À. 35 Figure 3B depicts, again in side elevation, deck bending moments imposed by cargo

loading and attendant end wall bowing and stretching of roof rails; Figures 4A through 4C depict alternative end configurations; Thus, more specifically: Figure 4A depicts opposed side stub walls at both container ends; 5 Figure 4B depicts opposed intermediate stub walls at both container ends; and Figure 4C depicts a 'mix and match' combination, permutation, interchangeability or mutual substitution of side and intermediate stub walls.

Referring to the drawings, an open sided container 10 has a platform deck 14, optionally surmounted by a roof canopy 15.

10 The roof 15 is fitted upon longitudinal side rails 53, depicted in broken outline, and inset or inboard transverse headers 23, 24 and end headers 13, 21.

The roof 15 may be (re-)movable, in whole or part, such as envisaged in the Applicant's companion case WO99/15437.

The roof 15, or rather transverse header beams 23, 24, which may be integrated with 15 the roof structure, are supported at opposite ends by certain strut, bracing and wall panel infill configurations.

These end configurations admit of some variation, but in the particular example depicted in Figure 1, feature different arrangements respectively of: À at one (rearward) end opposed side stub posts, bracing and side stub wall 20 panel infill alongside the deck 14; and À at the opposite (forward) end an inset stub post, bracing and stub wall infill intermediate the transverse deck span.

More specifically: À a forward end 33 has an 'I' or'T' - beam configuration 4O, of an inset À. À. 25 intermediate (span) stub post 54, with diagonal 'A'-frame bracing 58, and infill - stub wall panel 16, supporting inboard transverse header 23; and Alga À a rearward end 43 has an opposed side stub wall configuration 50, of side .. en. (stub) posts 26, diagonal 'A'-frame bracing 55, and side stub wall panel infill À ' 18, supporting inboard transverse header beam 21.

30 In practice, ends 33, 43 would likely represent the front (forward) and rear respectively . (in relation to a direction of transport movement) for a vehicle (such as road trailer or :,:. railway wagon) mounted container.

a À a À One (rear) end 43 allows end (un)loading, between opposed side (stub) walls 18,

through an end frame with optional roof header 13, corner posts 29, and transverse deck sill 11.

In this example, rear end 43 is optionally closed by a pair of outwardly hinged doors 27, hung from corner posts 29, to allow access at end 43 when open, but to help 5 keep a cargo load restrained in place when closed.

The other (front) end 33 has an end frame with a transverse header beam 21 supported by corner posts 19, upon deck sill 11, with an infill panel 17 intersected by intermediate stub wall 16, with optional bracing 58.

Intermediate stub wall 16 is shown generally centrally of the container longitudinal axis 1 0 41 - effectively bisecting end wall panel 17 - but could be offset laterally, to one side or the other.

In principle, multiple such intermediate stub walls 16 could be used, such as in pairs, set at one third transverse span.

Stub wall 16 may be supplement, be supplemented by, substitute for or be 1 5 substituted altogether by, inset stub post 54.

Similarly, stub post bracing 58 may supplement or replace stub wall panel infill 16.

Wall panel infill 16 may be single or multiple (eg double) skinned - say, flat or corrugated. Inset stub post 54 and inset transverse header 23 together form a braced inset 'T' 20 frame, spanning longitudinal roof rails 53.

With the deck 14, and an optional under-deck transverse beam (not shown) an 'I'-

frame end configuration is also achieved.

The overall container configuration, with particular end configurations, is compatible with either: 25 À a traditional standard 40 foot longitudinal span; or en. À a contemporary extended 45 foot span.

À À. À In either case: À.e . À an inset side stub post, bracing and/or side wall panel, and/or À À À Àe À an inset intermediate stub post, bracing and/or intermediate stub wall À: 30 are deployed to bolster overall structural rigidity.

À.e À À À. Figures 4A through 4C show variant combinations of end configuration.

À À Figures 3A and 3B show the contribution to overall structural stiffening of the end configurations.

Thus Figure 3A shows resistance to trapezoidal lozenging and Figure 4B shows resistance to longitudinal bending.

Although not illustrated, torsional (twisting) stiffness is also bolstered, by the end configuration. 5 A 'mix-and-match' permutation or combination of end features may be contrived, as reflected in Figures 4A through 4C.

In the particular example depicted in Figure 1, split hinged end doors 27 and side wall 18 at one end are combined with a solid infill panel 17 and intermediate stub wall 16 at the opposite end.

1 0 Side stub walls 18 can be infill panels or open lattice bracing frames 56 to an inset side post 26 - or indeed omitted altogether in favour of a strut or post 26.

Similarly, an intermediate stub wall 16 can be a solid infill panel or an open lattice bracing frame 58 to an inset strut 54, or omitted altogether, in favour of an intermediate strut or post 54.

1 5 The container 10 of Figure 1 can be regarded as of extended contemporary format or footprint, with some 45 foot overall longitudinal span, designated by double-headed arrow 'B'.

That said, for conformity with prevailing standards, provision is made for capture, support and handling, by 'pick-up' (box) fittings 28 set at traditional 40 foot span, 20 designated by double-headed arrow 'A'.

Such pick-up fittings 28 are thus inset somewhat (by one half the 45 to 40 foot span difference, of some 2.5 foot) from the container end extremities 33, 43.

Similar pick-up or corner joint fittings 25 may be provided at the container outboard corner extremities, for interaction with other containers (not shown) of similar 25 extended longitudinal span.

More specifically, the inset pick-up fittings 28 are carried at outboard ends of as. transverse header beams 23, 24, inboard of respective container ends 33, 43.

À Àe . The header beams 23, 24 are in turn supported by respective underpinning, albeit À differentially configured at the container ends 33, 43 vis: À À. À.. 30 À an 'I' or 'T' - beam 40 at one end 33; and À: À opposed side wall configuration 50 at the other end 43.

À. Side stub walls 18 are carried between corner posts 29 and inboard side posts or struts 26.

Àe À À In this example, side stub walls 18 are depicted as solid infill panels, such as of 35 corrugated sheet, with an option of diagonal bracing (say, 'A' or 'v' profile) frames 56

to inset or inboard strut 26.

A similar option is depicted for intermediate stub wall 16, with optional bracing frames 58, as a centre restraint to intermediate post 54.

Side struts 26 are disposed immediately beneath outboard pick-up points 28 of 5 header beam 24 and supported by longitudinal deck side sills 12.

A transverse under-deck beam (not shown) may span between the bottoms of struts 26 and couple to deck sills 12.

In this particular example, the other header beam 23, at the opposite container end 33, relies upon intermediate stub wall 16 for mid-span support.

1 0 The stub wall 16 itself is effectively braced between: À on the one hand, end header 21, along with any end wall panel infill 17; and À on the other hand, the inset header beam 23 and platform deck 14; aside from any supplementary 'A' or 'v' frame bracing 58 to inset intermediate stub post 54.

1 5 A transverse under-deck beam (not shown) may couple between the bottom of inset stub post 54 and the deck sills 12.

As depicted in Figure 2C, optional provision may be made for folding either or both stub walls 18 and/or side strut 26, and also intermediate stub wall 16 and or inset stub post 54 - for less impeded side access and internal manipulation of cargo.

20 More specifically, intermediate stub wall 16 is allowed to swing through a 180 degree arc represented by arcuate arrows 34, about its outward end, to lie unobtrusively alongside end wall 17.

Similarly, side stub walls 18 are allowed to swing through 90 degrees or more (say up to 180 degrees), as represented by arcuate arrows 32, about their outer ends, to lie 25 clear of the side opening, and to abut or overlie open end doors 27.

À. À À À À Releasable (desirably locking) couplings (not shown) could be employed between intermediate stub wall 18 and supporting framework.

Equivalent releasable coupling provision (not shown) could be fitted between side À. À. À posts 26, header 24 and longitudinal side sills 12.

30 Relocation of stub walls 16, 18 temporarily undermines bracing of respective headers 23, 24, but can be tolerated where stacking and handling loads are not imposed.

À À À À À The overall layout is a compromise preserving an open plan internal format, with single À. end access and side access over the most of the longitudinal span.

Even those constraints can be removed by allowing side and intermediate stub wall

movement. Absent that provision, in this particular example, one end is essentially a closed double ended 'T' or '1' wall brace in plan and elevation and the other end a sleeve or'U' shape in plan.

5 The present example aside, individual end wall configurations and relative end wall combinations admit of considerable variation.

Figures 4A through 4C depict some variations in end configuration.

Thus Figure 4A shows opposed side stub walls and inset side stub posts, with or without bracing, at both deck ends.

1 0 This would allow open end access, or an option of door closure.

Figure 4B shows intermediate (transverse span) stub walls and inset stub posts, with or without bracing, at both deck ends.

Again an open or closed end could be used - even with door closure albeit with end access somewhat constrained, yet side access preserved.

1 5 Figure 4C represents diagrammatically, combinations, permutations or mutual substitutions of side and intermediate stub posts and walls.

Supplementary diagonal braces (not shown) could be fitted between frame elements, to reinforce, stiffen and stabilise the structure, such as against torsional (twisting) and racking (or lozenging) loads.

20 Intermediate stub walls 16, and/or stub post 54 and/or bracing frames 58, together with side stub walls 18, and/or side stub posts 26 and/or side bracing frames 56, help stiffen deck 14, roof canopy 15 and roof rails 53 into a unitary structure.

Such a stiffened container form is better able to withstanding bending, torsional (twisting) and racking (trapezoidal) lozenging deformation - as depicted in Figures 4A 2 5 and 4B.

. Generally, subject to payload considerations, the more 'intersecting' joined (eg À À. pinned) panel, strut or tie elements, the more scope for mutual bracing and overall À stiffening À... As reflected in Figures 4A through 4C, such mutual bracing and support is achievable À.. 30 in diverse ways.

Thus, an 'I' or 'T' beam end configuration, of intermediate stub post 54, bracing 58, and stub wall 16 could be used at either or both (ie opposite) container ends - with :. À,, end wall 17 or end doors 27 being deployed or omitted accordingly.

À.. À. Similarly, side stub posts 26, bracing 56 and infill side panels or walls 18 could be 35 employed at either or both ends, with end wall or door features adapted or omitted accordingly.

Although end, or end extremities have been discussed, there remains scope for installing the 'I' {T' beam and/or opposed side wall bracing at longitudinal positions intermediate or inset from the deck ends - that is not necessarily at the extremities.

As depicted in Figure 3B, under the weight of a cargo payload 52, the base deck 14 5 deflects (bends) downwards (broken line 57) and end walls 17, 27 tend to rotate inwardly (broken lines 59) - so compressing top rails 53.

End walls 17, 27 are stiffened substantially by side stub walls 18 and intermediate stub wall 16 - so base deck 14 deflection is substantially reduced.

This allows a lighter-weight construction of base deck 14 - and/or a shallower deck, 1 0 providing greater load depth capacity.

End doors 27 are optional - so intermediate stub wall 16 could be fitted at either or both ends.

Side stub walls 18 and intermediate stub wall 16 help to retain at least respective end portions of cargo laterally.

1 5 Under stacking loads through fittings 28 - such as with an overlying container 55 as shown in Figure 3A, ultimate failure could arise from transverse buckling of intermediate stub wall 16 This stub wall 16 has greater reinforcement on its leading or inboard upright vertical edge through post or strut 54 - which is stabilised against buckling through the infill 20 panel 16 (single or double skinned) and/or bracing 58 transferring loads to end wall infill panel 17, itself rigid transversely of container.

Component List A' 40 foot container longitudinal span B' 45 foot container longitudinal span 25 1 0 container .. 1 1 base sill À À. 1 2 longitudinal side rail À À. 13 optional header 1 4 platform deck 30 1 5 roof À.. 1 6 intermediate stub wall 1 7 end infill wall panel 1 8 side stub wall panel 1 9 corner post :.. 35 21 transverse end header beam À À 23 inset transverse header beam À. 24 inset transverse header beam 25 outboard corner fitting 26 inset side posts

27 hinged end doors 28 pick-up fitting 29 corner posts 30 cargo 5 31 cargo portion 32 arcuate arrows 33 container end 34 arcuate arrows 40 'I'-beam configuration 10 41 longitudinal axis 43 container end 50 opposed side wall configuration 51 lozenge 52 payload 15 53 longitudinal roof side rails 54 intermediate stub post 55 stacked container 56 side bracing frame 57 base deck deflection 20 58 intermediate bracing frame 59 end wall deflection À À. À.. À... À À - À À. À. À.. À:. À À À Àe e À.e À À...

Claims (7)

1. Claims

   A container (10) comprising a platform deck (14) 5 supporting a roof (15), and/or transverse header beams (23, 24), through an intervening support structure (40, 50), of (certain) end frame configurations; one end configuration comprising either or both: 1 0 an intermediate stub post (54), stub wall (16) with or without stub bracing (58); another end wall configuration comprising either or both: opposed side stub posts 26, side stub infill wall or panels (18), with or without respective side stub bracing 56.
2. 2. An open-sided, platform deck container, 1 5 supports a roof canopy (15) , through certain end configurations (40, 50), selected from the group of; one end configuration comprising any one or more of opposed side stub posts (26), 20 stub post bracing (56), or stub wall panel infill (18), set alongside the deck (14); another end configuration comprising any one or more of an intermediate stub post (54), stub post bracing (58), or stub wall panel infill (16), 25 set intermediate the deck transverse span; .: the end configurations being deployed alternatively, duplicated at both ends, or in À. differential permutation or combination.

   À . À... À À. À À À À. À e À À À À À... À À.
3. 3. An open-sided, platform deck container (10), {of longitudinally extended format}, for freight transport and storage, 5 comprises a platform deck base (14), with capture, handling and support points (28), set inboard of container ends, and in opposed pairs, upon respective header beams (23, 24); 10 one header supported by a stub wall (16), disposed intermediate the transverse deck span; and another header being supported by stub walls (18) set at opposite deck sides; allowing end and side access.

   15
4. 4. A container(10)comprising a platform deck (14) supporting a roof (15), and/or transverse header beams (23, 24), 20 through an intervening support structure (40, 50), (differentially) configured at one end (33) as an 'I'or'T'- beam cross-section, and at the other end (43) as opposed side stub wall panels (18), 25 supporting respective container pick-up, capture, handling, and support end fittings (28) and preserving end (43) access, along with side access for (un)loading, over the remainder of the container span ('B').

   À. À. À À. 30
5. 5.

   À... A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims, À.. with an 'I' or 'T'-beam cross-section, and (re-)movable support strut, bracing, or wall, 35 underpinning a transverse header beam, with outboard end fittings, :... for container handling.

   .
6. 6. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims, with a (re-) movable side stub walls, 5 underpinning a transverse header beam, with outboard end fittings, for container.
7. 7. A container, 10 substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

   Àe À. À Àe be.. À I. À Àe À. À À. À:e À À À Àe I.. À I.